A HOME care provider in Huddersfield has linked up with a high street pharmacist to help people needing prescription drugs at home.

Bluebird Care, which has its Kirklees area offices at New Hey Road, Salendine Nook, has joined forces with Boots to provide the service for customers choosing care and support in the comfort of their own homes.

Bluebird Care’s 43-strong team of care managers across the UK and Ireland is now partnering Boots’ national network of senior pharmacists to offer practical help to customers requiring prescription drugs at home.

Customers and carers are encouraged to use specially designed blister packs and pill dispensers to ensure they are taking their medicines correctly. Extra devices are available to help partially-sighted people.

Bluebird Care said the new initiative was in line with Government policy to help people stay at home for as long as appropriate, without going into residential care.

Bluebird Care is promoting the service at local Boots pharmacies, providing clearly written information for customers seeking to receive care at home, either for them or a relative.

Bluebird Care managing director Paul Tarsey said: “It is often confusing and difficult for people to get the help they need and the support in place to enable them to stay at home.

“We are working alongside Boots to help people through that maze, whether that is organising care at home or help with their medication.”

The initiative comes as both organisations are entering a period of change.

Bluebird Care has embarked on an expansion drive – creating hundreds of jobs and opening new offices at a rate of about one every three weeks during 2008-2009.

Meanwhile, Boots has unveiled a £65m re-brand of its pharmacies, including creating “Midnight Pharmacies” signalling the biggest single change to the company’s history and responding to customer demand.

Mr Tarsey said: “The need for extra staff has come as a direct result of a swing towards people deciding to stay at home and receive care rather than going into a residential home or hospital.”